Hi Cowgirl. That's one nice looking UDS you have there. Looks like it works well too. Nice how you have it all gussied up with a side table n all.I never knew you even had one.Guess I need to pay more attention eh. lol Take care,

Thank you Anonymous!I load the basket with about 8lbs of coal and it lasts through the whole smoke... I don't add any more.Any coals that are left when I'm through, extinguish when I close the air holes at the end of the cook.Any coals left get used next time.

The longest smoke I've done in it so far is 8 hours.

As for the wood I use to add flavor..... I start with a few on top of the hot coals, then add a few when needed from the top.

hello CG! i am using your cool idea for my smoker as well, but neded some pointers' what size of barrel did or that you feel would work the best for me? oh and what is your personal favorite wood to smoke with?

Question for you, I saw in your picture that you actually have a smaller box smoker in the background, I've been having a hard debate if I want to build one or buy the box smoker you have behind the barrel. I think the largest piece I'll do is a shoulder or a turkey. I'm just wondering what are the pros and cons since you have both.

Hi Daniel,I do have a small vertical charcoal Btinkman. It's a 2 door version. The coals go in the bottom door and the food in the top.

The little Brinkman is fine but the drum holds more. Also if you get a vertical smoker, you need to either drill more holes in the hot coal basket or use a different basket because there aren't enough air holes to keep the coals going at a good temperature.

I use a home made coal basket like the one in my drum. Made from expanded metal. Here is a link to my charcoal basket ..http://cowgirlscountry.blogspot.com/2008/03/made-charcoal-basket-for-my-smoker.html

Overall I like the drum better. It's so easy to use and reliable. I can load it up and not worry about adjusting temperatures or adding more coals.

Hi Rick,I am not sure what they are called. They look like large threaded bolts and are about 1 1/2 inches long. I drilled 1" holes and the plugs are 3/4 of an inch.They screw right in. So sorry I can't be more specific as to what they are called.

For some reason I want to call them threaded pipe plugs, but I could be wrong!

Hi, I am making a drum smoker, my drum is food grade but it has a telfon coating on the inside, do I need to sand it completely off? I was thinking of burning then sanding and painting over what was left. Thank you for making such a wonderful blog

I'm not sure about using one with a teflon coating. I've heard good and bad things about teflon at high temperatures.I'd probably sand it down to bare metal and season the inside with oil like seasoning a cast iron pan.

You could probably burn it before sanding, but be careful of the fumes... I think that teflon at a high heat gives off toxic fumes.(just what I've heard anyway.)

I'd like to ask your advice. I'm new to smoking. I've been getting great results on ribs with a gasser converted for indirect heat. Now I would like to move up a level.

I've been considering getting a cheap offset grill until I came across your site.

I live in a cold climate during winter and would still like to smoke all year. Would this UDS be able to hold the heat of a fire in low outdoor air temps? I know the offset won't. Perhpas a mod with a insulation blanket could do the trick. Is this even needed?

Hi Anonymous!I've used mine during the winter here in Oklahoma without a blanket. I'm not sure how cold of an area you are in, but I've had friends in Michigan use their drums with snow piled all around. I guess the fact that the heat will rise makes them easier to get up to temperature. I've not heard them mention using blankets on theirs.If you can find a drum, the cost of building one is minimal.

There is another post here on my blog under favorites that shows the build a bit better. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I do not mind helping if I can.

Thank you Box Learning!I'm sure you would be able to build one, they are pretty easy and the food they cook is outstanding. :)

Mine is sitting on a regular "drum dolly". You can purchase them at places that sell drums.I lucked out and someone gave me this one.. I just painted it black.I had already purchased casters to attach to the bottom of my drum but when a friend saw what I had planned, he dropped off the dolly...said he didn't need it!

If you google drum dolly there are several pics online. I guess I should post a pic of mine here!

Thanks again and good luck with your build. If you have any questions, let me know!

I am an american that has lived in Greece for years. I am still the oly one I know that smokes food & they love it.

How do you clean out the ash? Just open & turn it over?

I plan to build this unit but I will open the bottom & stand in in a wheeled steel platform a bit larger than the drum diameter. When I have to clean it out I will lift it off & collet the ash for my fruit tree fertilizer. Nothing goes to waste with me.Fantastic work on your site.

Thank you Steve!I really like my drum smoker and seem to use it a lot. When I clean the ashes, I wait until they are cooled and vacuum them out with my shop vac. It's the easiest way for me. I am able to life the drum off of it's base and dump it but it's pretty heavy for me....so the vacuum works better.

I would love to see your drum when you get it finished. That is a great idea to use the ashes for your trees. :)

I've never been to Greece but imagine it is really beautiful over there. It's great that you are able to smoke your own foods, Bet they are tasty!

Ok so I think I am in love with you...I am pretty sure my wife would be ok with it if we got married as long as no conjugal stuff was going on....Seriously you are soo unbelievvably talented and resourceful...Your website makes me hungry and i am in hot pusuit of a food grade drum. How did you seal the air intake to the drum?Also did you tie or toothpick the bacon woven around the sausage roll?Excellant website...thanks so much for sharing

lol Thanks for the laugh Tyronicus!The pipe nipples just screw into the air intake holes. You can weld them if you like.. I didn't and have had no problems. JB Weld might be used too.No toothpics on the bacon weaves. Just tuck the sides in as you roll and then leave the seam side on the bottom.Good luck!Thanks for checking out my blog too. :)

Hi Carolloyd!I'm not sure if you are talking about the inside of the drum where the ball valve is? If you click on the photo of my Drum at the top right side of the page it might have the pics you need.Hope this help!

Hi Carolloyd! There is no burner in the drum. The valve is only for air intake.There are 3 holes with just pipe nipples screwed in (threaded pipe)... and then the ball valve is attached to another piece of threaded pipe and screwed into the drum.The valve just allows for "fine tuning" what air comes into the drum.

I usually smoke with at least 2 of the air intakes and the ball valve open all the way. Seems to work best in most weather.Hope this helps, let me know if it didn't! :)

Hi Gopokes! Hope you're not getting any of this strong wind today. :)I already had my drum. It's an old one.You might try googling 55 gallon steel drums in okla city. I think some companies sell them new. Be sure to get an open top one, with the lid separate. They are just easier to mess with. Cutting the lid off can be a pain.Hope you have good luck with it!

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About Me

Born and raised in the country, I Love wide open spaces.
Enjoy camping, fishing, hunting, and any form of outdoor cooking, hot, warm and cold smoking. Preserving what I hunt, catch, raise or forage. I enjoy being able to provide food for my table.
I'm thankful for each day and will never take anything for granted.
Thanks for stopping by!

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